Spotprent op de Amsterdamse dienstmeisjes die zich misdragen op de kermis, 1828 1828

This is "Spotprent op de Amsterdamse dienstmeisjes die zich misdragen op de kermis," created in 1828 by J. Meeuwissen using pen and watercolour. The composition unfolds in three distinct panels, each capturing a scene of disorderly conduct amongst Amsterdam's maids at the fair. The linear structure, reinforced by the stark vertical lines of architectural elements, divides the narrative. The limited colour palette—dominated by muted blues, yellows, and greens—lends the scenes a sense of restrained chaos. Note how the artist uses line and form to convey the maids' dishevelment, from the drooping shoulders to the haphazard posture, the use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth, drawing our eye through the scenes of poor behaviour. The print critiques social decorum through a blend of observation and judgement. The formal arrangement of the panels, akin to a moralizing triptych, implicates broader cultural values and class distinctions.